The world’s first rack and pinion hybrid locomotives join the fleet at Snowdon Mountain Railway as the attraction reopens following COVID-19 lockdown.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway will begin welcoming visitors back this week (July 9) as the mountain and the railway opens to the public following the three-month lockdown. Trains will begin running again this Friday (July 10) with significant new COVID-19 measures in place.
The 2020 season sees the world’s first rack and pinion hybrid locomotives joining the existing fleet. The railway took delivery of two new hybrid locomotives last month as replacements for two of the existing Hunslet diesel locomotives.
Both new locomotives have already been named and the railway is holding a competition to see who can guess either names before they are revealed later in the month.
Developed by Clayton Equipment Ltd, the new £1.1 million ‘greener’locomotives are be driven by maintenance-free electric motors, which are powered by a traction battery and a diesel generator.
‘Exciting time for Snowdon Mountain Railway’
Heritage Great Britain PLC, which operates the landmark destination, says the investment in the new technology follows a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of the experience at the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway senior engineering manager Mike Robertshaw said: “This is an exciting time for Snowdon Mountain Railway as the world’s first rack and pinion hybrid locomotives join our existing fleet. Since opening in 1896, the railway has evolved over the decades, first there were steam trains, then came the diesel trains, now we are moving towards a more sustainable future with our greener hybrid locomotives.
“I believe that these locomotives will ensure the longevity of SMR and enable future generations to enjoy the beauty of Snowdon.”
At the end of the month, new passenger pods will be delivered which will sit on the locomotive framework. This will allow up to 12 additional passengers to travel per trip with the added excitement of travelling on the locomotive.
For more information, visit www.snowdonrailway.co.uk or follow Snowdon Mountain Railway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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